Introduction to Geothermal Drilling Engineering

Panel Presentations

Title: Self-Setting Expandable Liners Can Reduce Geothermal Well Cost by 40% - 50%
Abstract: DTS Technology reduces or eliminates major drilling and well construction costs, including rotating days, lost-circulation repair time, and casing costs. With diametric expansion capabilities exceeding 300%, DTS liner assemblies may be run through and set below existing casing and into underreamed problem sections. Because the assemblies are self-sealing, a downhole repair is made, and drilling resumed within a matter of hours, rather than incurring multiple unproductive days, as is common in geothermal environments. Due to high tubular expansion rates and setting into underreamed sections, full bit diameter maintenance takes place. Assembly lengths of only a few feet of the new type of liner can repair problem sections normally requiring full casing strings to isolate. DTS Technology has similar full diameter recovery applications for well retrofits and the restoration of wells with collapsed or buckled casing.

DTS Geothermal’s presentation explains the technology’s operation, applications, and financial models demonstrating well cost savings approaching 50%.

Jeff Spray
DTS Technology

Title: Overcoming limitations to deep high-enthalpy geothermal through directed energy drilling technology
Matt Houde
Quaise Inc.

Abstract: An inexhaustible supply of energy exists in the form of thermal energy stored in the earth's crust. This resource can be accessed globally and extracted at large power densities competitive with fossil fuels, provided one can drill deep enough to access temperatures where water becomes supercritical. Supercritical temperatures are not widespread above 10 km depth, but technical limitations to deep geothermal drilling can be overcome via Millimeter-Wave (MMW) Drilling, a novel approach to direct energy drilling that transforms full bore penetration into an energy-matter interaction that avoids the high-temperature/high-pressure limits imposed on mechanical tools. MMW Drilling borrows from technology developed for nuclear fusion research, utilizing a high-power source of microwaves that can be transmitted downhole to melt and vaporize rock for rock reduction. Novel innovations brought to geothermal drilling include an economic approach to full bore vaporization of rock and a vitrified liner produced along the borehole wall, which could replace casing/provide casing-while-drilling capability. MMW Drilling technology was developed by the MIT Plasma Science Fusion Center, and Quaise is working with MIT and other partners to advance the technological maturity from lab experiments to the deep drilling pilot demonstrations.

Title: Use of machine learning (ML) and artificial intelligence (AI) for geothermal drilling optimization
Eric Van Oort
University of Texas

Martin Yates
Baker Hughes Inc.

Title: Improved drilling performance using PLASMABIT technology
Abstract: Drilling in the deep depths in a high-pressure and high-temperature environment in hard rocks is challenging, slow, and expensive. Geothermal Anywhere’s technology PLASMABIT made a breakthrough in using plasma heat as thermal stress to drill and disintegrate rock formation several times faster than conventional technologies. PLASMABIT technology will enable to drill geothermal wells much deeper, with less risk and at a lower price, opening new opportunities for geothermal energy expansion.

Igor Kocis
GA Drilling

Tomas Kristofic
GA Drilling